Babita Singh Reporting - Ravana Dahan

Babita Singh Reporting 

2026, Hindi

Director: Ambiecka Pandit

Stars: Nimisha Sanjayan, Barun Sobti, Rajesh Kumar, Anshumaan Pushkar

Mohan's Measure ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

One can hardly recognize the talented Ms. Sajayan in the title role of ACP Babita Singh. Her character is played to the T as an average Indian women, struggling with body shaming, chauvinism, a boring marriage, and the judgements of her parents and in-laws. Beyond this, it just so happens that she is a cop, brought into the force on compassionate grounds. A suspension brings her home to participate in her sister's baby shower, and most surprisingly, the murder of a good friend. 

The story brings opportunities for a classic noir, with effigies of demons and statues of Hindu gods showing up frequently. There is also the dysfunctional feel of lower middle class life in India that provides just the right environment for a psychological thriller. 

While both of these are suggested, however, neither are well employed. For it seems Babita Singh's demons are personal ones, and the mystery merely makes her painfully aware of the need to escape these. But to do so, requires her to prove to herself and others that she is worthy of respect, and that pushes her forward a sense of self in a lopsided ending